In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Soccer Aid has brought together a number of former Premier League players, including some who were once members of Liverpool.
This Sunday is Soccer Aid’s launch day, and the complete lineups show that many former Liverpool players are eager to take part.
Robbie Williams came up with the idea for Soccer Aid, a charity match that was held in 2006 to raise money for UNICEF. Football legends like Gianfranco Zola, Francesco Totti, Roberto Carlos, and even the late, great Diego Maradona have appeared in the yearly encounter between England and their adversaries, Soccer Aid World XI FC.
Football’s best players compete against well-known figures from the entertainment industry in a competition that has gained notoriety for its star-studded lineup. Among the celebrities who have participated in the game since its launch are Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, and Damian Lewis.
This year’s match will include a number of former Premier League players from Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Spurs in addition to the customary celebrity participants. From the sidelines, it will be an all-Stamford Bridge event, with Jesus Perez, Chelsea’s assistant manager, taking the dugout alongside Frank Lampard, who will be directing England, and former Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino, who will be managing the World XI.
Former goalie David James and Joe Cole, who will also be making a return visit to Stamford Bridge following several successful years there, reflect Liverpool’s past. Nonetheless, Eden Hazard, Petr Cech, Michael Essien, Gary Cahill, John Obi Mikel, and Karen Carney, a standout player for Chelsea Women, are among the many notable Chelsea alumni.
Former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, former Arsenal players David Seaman and Jack Wilshere, and legendary England women’s player Jill Scott will also be present. Harry Redknapp will offer coaching advice in addition to Lampard and Robbie Williams.
Not only does the event cater to football royalty, but it also draws celebrities from all fields. Olympic greats Sir Mo Farah and Usain Bolt, DJ Roman Kemp, actor Martin Compston, boxer Tommy Fury, podcaster Tony Bellew, and businessman Steven Bartlett are scheduled to perform. In 2024, Stuart Broad from cricket, Sam Thompson from reality TV, and Bobby Brazier from Strictly Come Dancing will be joining the team.
This year’s encounter is just five days before the opening of Euro 2024 in Germany, and the England team will be wearing a specially created replica of their Euro ’96 uniform. Additionally, the World XI will be wearing a special edition Adidas uniform.
England has won five times since the competition began in 2006; their most recent victory came in 2018. The World XI have won seven times in total; they won the championship last year for the fifth time in a row.
In their previous meeting, the World XI won 4-2. As always, all event revenues will support Unicef’s work to keep kids healthy and safe from illness and starvation, as well as to help them in times of need in nations devastated by conflict.
The England Squad
Lampard, Frank
Harry Redknapp
David Seaman
Vicky McClure
Robbie Williams
Coach of skills: Billy Wingrove
Scott Jill
McGuinness, Paddy
David James
David Seaman
Defoe Jermaine
Wilshire Jack
Karen Carney
Gary Cahill
Grennan, Tom
Bartlett, Steven
Doherty Erin
Regards, sir Farah Mo
Brooker, Alex
Stuart Broad
Brazier Bobby
Sam Thompson
World XI Team
Mauricio Pochettino
Jesus Perez
Skills coach: Billy Wingrove
Captain: Usain Bolt
Maisie Adam
Theo Baker
Tony Bellew
Roberto Carlos
Petr Cech
Martin Compston
Alessandro Del Piero
Diamond
Michael Essien
Patrice Evra
Tommy Fury
Eden Hazard
Roman Kemp
Kaylyn Kyle
Lee Mack
Jason Manford
John Obi Mikel
Emmett J. Scanlan
